Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb 10: Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has strongly urged Shri Amit Shah, Hon’ble Home Minister of India to include MPs from Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep as Members or Special Invitees in the meetings of the Island Development Agency (IDA) to ensure effective representation of the islanders' concerns.

Recalling the earlier structure under the Island Development Authority (IDA) which was chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, MPs from these Union Territories were included as Members, allowing them to highlight important public interest issues for decision making and implementation. However, since the establishment of the Island Development Agency (IDA) in 2017 under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Home Minister, MPs have been completely excluded from these crucial meetings, leading to a lack of direct representation in discussions that shape the future of the islands.

Despite several meetings and major decisions being taken by the IDA, many essential concerns beyond mega infrastructure projects remain unaddressed, raising widespread public concern. Given that Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep do not have a legislative assembly, the MPs are the only elected representatives of the people, making their involvement in these meetings imperative.

Further, while the Lt. Governor of A&N Islands serves as the Vice-Chairman of the IDA, there has been no pre-consultation with stakeholders or elected representatives before these meetings. This results in bureaucratic decision-making without incorporating ground level realities, leaving the genuine concerns of islanders unheard.

In light of the above and in the interest of strengthening democratic values, the MP has formally requested the Government to restore the participation of MPs in the IDA meetings either as Members or as Special Invitees. Such a step would ensure that the voices of the people of these Union Territories are effectively represented in important policy decisions.